If you want to sing a song, sing an Irish song.

Now, that’s a motto. It got us through the war ... sorry I mean The Emergency and it kept that pesky rock 'n' roll music at bay. Ah, those were innocent times when a motto meant something and could actually bind us together.

I thought of these simpler times as a new campaign was launched this week by Better Together. No, not the crowd in Scotland  who were in the news for some reason last week. I’m talking about the Irish umbrella group of community organisations who want to highlight the great work happening at local level. As their website tells us:

"Better Together is a nationwide campaign which aims to build support for hundreds of charities, community groups, clubs and associations across the country by encouraging the public to support these good causes and make a difference in their communities."

Just like mom’s apple pie this is great.

In the lead up to 1916, they’ve decided to get in on a bit of the action and have launched a campaign to find a motto for a New Ireland.

Jesus wept.

If this was aimed at kids, then maybe they could get away with it. But they want everybody to think of one. I had a look at some of the entries so far. You can imagine the level. Twee would be the kind word.

‘Ireland. Sharing with the world’ - What does that mean?

‘Ireland. Where people matter to people’ - Really?

It wasn’t that long ago we fell for that great mantra ‘A lot done, more to do’  or who could forget about 'We are where we are'.

Mottos are great in Christmas crackers. Will they help re-invigour  the nation? I think not.